Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
The 2026 Audlem Special Events Team Alan Mayhew Trophy is a history making final. Sinclair have become the first non Premier League team to ever make the final, while Castlefields have reached an unprecedented 7th straight final, aiming to add to their 10 triumphs already in this competition.
The Fields will start as favourites against a Sinclair team who are the Champions of the Mid Shropshire League and have started well this season, winning at rivals Newport last night. But they started favourites last year against Ifton, and they ended up losing in a classic match, and they did so 10 years ago against Meole Brace and lost when well placed, so Sinclair will have hope they can replicate those upsets.
Castlefields vice captain Ash Wellings says “we look forward to another Mayhew Trophy final. It’s good to see a non prem team make it through to the final and think it just goes to show that the league definitely needs them in the league as they would hold their own in the Premier League comfortably and probably be in the top 5 or 6 as they are. Expecting a tough game but hoping to get our name on the trophy once again.”
Sinclair skipper Harry Church says “as a Division 1 team we are elated to get to the final and we will definitely enjoy the occasion. We know we have the players to cause an upset and playing without pressure, that is what we’re hoping for.”
Sinclair have some quality players in their side to go toe to toe with Castlefields’ quality. Ash Gregory excelled in their Play Off game last year against Woore, and is rewarded with the number one spot to take on Jon Palmer, a winner of the Isle of Man Festival. Harry Church plays Mike Beer, both players being double winners of the Junior Merit, while Ayden Smith, who won this with Sir John Bayley in 2023 when beating Castlefields, has reigning BCGBA Champion of Champions winner Ash Wellings in a quality front four.
The middle four has some interesting and quality match ups. Conor Chamberlain meets Callum Wraight with many open titles between those two, while multiple Premier League Merit winner Pete Farmer meets Jamie King, both players knowing each other’s game well. John Potter against Rhys Marshall should be a good clash, while Dan Williams and Glyn Herbert is going to be a loud match full of contrasting styles!
The back four sees Castlefields have much experience to call upon like 2024 Man of the Match Adrian Rowe, playing in the same number 10 position, and former League Averages winners Rich Goddard and Wayne Rogers, the latter playing Mid Shropshire Under 18 Champion Jordon Millman. Sinclair’s Kevin Keary makes a welcome return to a Premier League competition having been a key player during St Georges’ title wins in 2006 and 2007.
It promises to be a great match at Wem Sports & Social Club on their small green.
There will be some copies of a free programme available, with player profiles for both teams in there.
Scores will be updated live here.
There will be some live coverage on the Facebook group here.
| No | Sinclair | Score | Score | Castlefields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashley Gregory | 0 | 0 | Jon Palmer |
| 2 | Harry Church | 0 | 0 | Michael Beer |
| 3 | Steve Handley | 0 | 0 | Tom Palmer |
| 4 | Ayden Smith | 0 | 0 | Ashley Wellings |
| 5 | Conor Chamberlain | 0 | 0 | Callum Wraight |
| 6 | Peter Farmer | 0 | 0 | Jamie King |
| 7 | John Potter | 0 | 0 | Rhys Marshall |
| 8 | Dan Williams | 0 | 0 | Glyn Herbert |
| 9 | Kevin Keary | 0 | 0 | Adam Jones |
| 10 | John Roberts Jnr | 0 | 0 | Adrian Rowe |
| 11 | Darren Fielding | 0 | 0 | Rich Goddard |
| 12 | Jordan Millman | 0 | 0 | Wayne Rogers |
| Games | 0 | 0 | Games | |
| Aggregate | 0 | 0 | Aggregate |